Bill

One of the best things we can give them is our prayer support too. I just know right now that between the medical expenses, the ministry project that God has birthed in me that will be coming out later this year sometime, my missions trip to Peru, and the basics of life, my already-thin resources are getting a little tapped out. So that's why I elect to pray for them rather than financially support. Just a little reminder to remember to pray for them too...that's all.

Dad's not been with me now for the better part of 13 years. So Father's Day is always sort of strange anymore. He was a good man, but a hard man. Very demanding of me almost to the point of "perfect wasn't good enough". Had many vices too. Never really lived out a Christian example, but had signed a statement of faith in a Gideon's New Testament in '51 when he went to Korea in the war. I do remember that he was there for many of the things that were important to me (graduation, band concerts, etc.). But that's about all. And I think some of those things he did out of a sense of "obligation" rather than really being supportive. Don't get me wrong...I loved my dad, but when I look back I hope for my sake I don't become like him.

:oww: *Slips 'Nony a $5 spot for the advertisement* Not sure the site is worthy of the word "awesome" at the moment but thanks for the endorsement Why I say that is that I really need to get some updates posted for sure. I've been too consumed with too many other problems to do that of late. And I sure do miss writing the ezine. I put it off for a time while I renovated the site, and now everything else has gone kinda kablooie on me. Hopefully soon we'll be back.

Hey Bill. I didn't know you were in the Church of the Brethren. That's interesting. I used to be, Calamity. I spent 11 years there (from 1991-2002) and that was the church I rededicated my life to the Lord in. I left because I just really felt like God was saying to me that I needed to move on and that my time there was through. I was a commissioned lay minister for about 3 years when I moved on.

While I was in the Church of the Brethren, I was a commissioned layminister that did "spot duty" in our district of 70 churches. When I left there, I was no longer eligible to serve in that role and there was really no place for me in my new church. So now, I use that skill and knowledge and inspiration on my website and wait on God's timing for moving back into a more visible speaking/teaching role.

Pardon the advertisement... But another one I frequent that is very good is Christian's Corner ( http://www.christianscorner.com/forum ) and I am in the process of really getting mine up and running so an invite there is always open. I sometimes get lost in the vastness of WorthyLand, so these are good reprises for me personally.

That is just hilarious, Ronald! LOL! :oww: :oww:

I find it absolutely hilarious that there are 2 threads titled "Benny Hinn" that are posting to within a minute of each other! Sorry, just looking for the humor in this LOL! :oww: :oww: And yes, Benny Hinn is not to be trusted.

I carry a cellphone only, and that's enough for me because my reception's good just about everywhere I go. I am looking for a PDA though... lol

We are also discussing this at NTBForums. I got the email on this movie and flat out couldn't believe it at first...but sadly it's out there. I think my $7 is better left in my pocket on this one for sure.

I was starting to think the same thing, serotta. ANYTHING...whether it's Rick Warren, The Cutting Edge, Eastern Regional Watch, Worthy Ministries, NoTurningBack.net, your pastor, my pastor, or some poster on a forum who thinks they have a great insight...should be compared to the Word. As for the book at hand, I read PDL and while I found a few things I didn't agree with, felt were worldly or out of context, I certainly didn't discard the entire book for it. And I'm having a hard time accepting the statement of "feel-good preaching" in the context of biblically-based sermons on dealing with life issues. After all, many of today's young couples (of which I am one) never got the biblical foundations in their homes because of being children of "baby boomers' or "free-love 60's" parents that didn't hold biblical values. Right now, they're swimming. They're saved, they attend church faithfully, pray, read the bible, etc., but need someone to help them along in dealing with life issues and what God says about them. Sometimes, I would almost rather have my pastor preach on "how-to" type things so that I can APPLY that scriptural principle in my life to help me grow and become more like Christ. And isn't that something that everyone can use...more application of scriptural principles and less deep-seated theological knowledge and $50 seminary words? Before someone flames me: In no way do I discard the preaching of the Gospel, making people aware of their need to turn from sin and live a life pleasing to God and that there is a heaven and hell and unless you turn you burn. The message needs to be preached, without mincing words. But the idea of discipleship brings a person from that initial moment of decision for Christ to completeness in Christ. And in my opinion, that's not accomplished by preaching hellfire and brimstone salvation messages every Sunday, or deep theological theory that cannot be applied. The art of an effective preacher is one who can present ALL these items in the right season.

But is the "inherent danger" of an altar call in that people will never come back, never return again, or is the "inherent danger" the fact that the church is scared to have to disciple new believers? Because in my mind, that's something sorely lacking in today's church and has contributed to some of the problems in the church and Christianity in general (Benny Hinn comes to mind... :x:) People in ministry speak under "the unction of the Spirit" and no one has truly been rooted and grounded enough in the faith to say "wait a second, no, this is not truth" and are being misled left and right. So what really is the "inherent danger" in an altar call...even though that's not what this thread is about...

Your website is very nice, however the full-screen flash is a little annoying...had to alt-tab back to regular windows. A more direct way of getting around that would be nice. I didn't listen to the tracks yet, but will when I have time. God bless

I'm just a very private person and tend to keep a lot to myself. I think knowing I'm 31 and male is enough internet profile to share...jmho.

Wonder if Hammer rapped to that at one time? :oww: